The area is attractive due to the large number of the volcanic implosion craters, numerous waterfalls and ravines with nesting places. The lake is also the breeding area for millions of the red flamingos, these flamingos feed on the spirulina algae. The other animals that can be spotted on the shores of Lake Natron includes the zebra, ostrich, fringed, eared Oryx, gazelles, lesser kudu as well as the golden jackals. It is also the home of other birds and the tilapia fish. The bright red coloration of the lake is more attractive but not convincing enough for taking a deep swimming due to the alkaline nature of the water, but the water is so eye catching. The alkaline nature of the water cannot turn human beings into the stones hence one can try to swim but is not advised as the water won’t be so comfortable and when the water comes in contact with the open wound it so painful that can make you so much uncomfortable. The lake is considered as deadly and hence many people do not visit it so it’s less crowded.
#Salt lake natron fish skin#
About 23 rivers and streams empty into Qinghai Lake with the majority of the stream carrying freshwater.It is corrosive in nature hence can corrode the human skin when comes in contact with the water. Qinghai Lake in China is the largest soda lake and also the largest lake in China with a PH value of 9.3. Some of the soda lakes in Asia include Lake Van, Tso Kar Salt Lake, Pangong Salt Lake, and Lake Zabuye. India and China have the highest number of soda lakes in Asia. The lake is a regular feeding ground for the majority of the 2.5 million East Africa’s lesser flamingos. Lake Natron in Tanzania is one of the most outstanding soda lakes in Africa because of the high PH of water which is always about 12. Some of the soda lakes in Africa include Wadi El Natrun, Lake Basaka, Lake Turkana, Lake Natron, and Lake Ngami. Most of the soda lakes in Africa are located in Eastern Africa, especially in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
Examples Of Soda LakesĪfrica and Asia have the highest number of soda lakes since the two continents have vast desert conditions which are perfect for the formation of soda lakes. Many endemic microbial species exist in soda lakes unique to individual lakes. These organisms which are adapted to the high alkalinity are called haloalkaliphiles. Soda lakes also harbor unique species which are adapted to the alkali conditions. The microorganisms in soda lakes are good sources of food for some of the animals including flamingo and other birds. Multicellular organisms such as brine shrimp and fish are found in plenty if not most of the soda lakes. Soda lakes are dominated by prokaryotes like bacteria and archaea, especially in lakes with higher levels of alkalinity. The colors of the algae vary between lakes depending on their life form. Soda lakes are permanent and seasonal habitat for algae which are visible in many of the lakes. Soda lakes are inhabited by a rich diversity of microbial life making them a productive ecosystem. The relative absence of magnesium and calcium is critical in the formation of the soda lake since magnesium or calcium is likely to dissolve quickly and displace the carbonate ion thus neutralizing the PH of the lake water. The rate at which carbonate salt dissolve in the lake water depends on the ecology of the surrounding area.
The pH of the water in the depression rises through the evaporation of the lake which requires suitable climate like the desert climate to balance between the inflow and evaporation.
An endorheic basin is formed when the water is confined without the outflow. A topography that limits the outflow of water from the lake is needed. Geological, climatic, and geographic requirements are required for a lake to become alkaline. Geology And Biodiversity Of Soda Lakes Geology And Genesis Of Soda Lakes Soda lakes occur naturally in both arid and semi-arid areas. Soda lakes are therefore the most productive aquatic environment on Earth because of the availability of dissolved carbon dioxide. Soda lakes are highly productive ecosystems compared to the freshwater lakes with a global primary production rate of over 10 grams carbon per square meters per day. A soda lake may also contain a high concentration of sodium chloride and other salts making it saline or hypersaline Lake. High carbonate concentration, especially sodium carbonate, is responsible for the alkalinity of the water. What is a Soda Lake? Lake Natron, Tanzania, is an example of a soda lake.Ī soda lake is a lake with a pH value of more than the usual measure of 6 or 7, usually between 9 and 11.